The Trump Revolution has already begun

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2016 — History will characterize Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States as a movement that changed the direction of the country. Having veered significantly from the principles that made this country great in recent years, Americans have found themselves yearning for more freedom, less taxation and a more sustainable balance between social responsibility and individual responsibility. Americans wanted to feel good, even great, again. Donald Trump answered that call.

We wanted our national pride back. And we wanted to start moving forward at the more rapid pace. Many, maybe most, Americans felt stagnant, hopeless, frustrated and angry. These needs and feelings are what led to a “surprise” victory for Donald Trump. And America’s electoral choice has already leaped into action. Even though it is more than a month away from his inauguration, Trump has already launched his revolution.

Contrary to nay-saying Wall Street experts and pundits, investor anticipation of a Trump presidency has already led to an outburst of optimism, as we see the stock market climb to dizzying heights, companies announce large job-creating investments, and Americans in general feeling enthusiastic about their country once again.

It is already clear that Trump will change the way that the business of government is handled. That, coupled with his long-held view that small government is better, will result in actual decreases in government spending. He will no longer pay bloated prices for government contractors who previously ignored cost savings simply because the government allowed prices to rise even after contracts were signed.

Boeing will likely build the president’s new plane, Air Force One, for significantly less than some of the exorbitant numbers that the media has recently headlined. He will, in fact, examine all government spending and find ways to cut it down to size. That’s because Trump is an expert at doing more while spending less. As president, he has no reason at all to change.

Trump will deliver on his promise to reduce taxes for all Americans. He will move toward a more balanced budget. He will increase spending where necessary, while being assured that the taxpayers are getting value for their hard-earned dollars.

Most importantly, however, the Trump Revolution will bring a whole new, very positive attitude.

Trump is currently taking a “thank you tour” around the country to thank his supporters—especially in the critical swing states—for their support. But he also wants to tell all Americans what will happen next and how it will affect them. During his speeches, the President-elect constantly drives home his “make America great” message. Recently he has also told Americans to dream big, saying, “No dream is too big, no challenge too great.”

Trump wants to restore the American spirit, just as Ronald Reagan did in the early 1980s after the country had suffered through a severe recession which was preceded by many years of high inflation, high unemployment and a stagnant economy.

Reagan told the country that the policies he would put in place would encourage Americans to achieve their goals. He old us to think about what we really wanted to do and then “go for it.” Reagan’s “morning in America” attitude, coupled with the small government, freedom-oriented policies he put in place, led to an expansion that lasted until 2007, save for a couple of brief hiccups in 1991 and 2001.

During those high growth years, Americans felt proud and confident. They also felt safe and secure, since they knew Reagan had rebuilt the military to a point where it was so strong that no country would rationally dare challenge U.S. might. The Reagan military philosophy was “peace through strength.” Trump uses those exact words to describe his own.

While this new and growing attitude of optimism and pride will benefit almost all of us, there will be some Americans who will protest. These people will want more social responsibility on the part of government and less individual responsibility.

They will demand a higher, government-imposed minimum wage, more spending on social programs that tend to benefit a small portion of the population and more government spending in general so that people can go to college without paying any money for their education.

Trump will emphasize that with increased freedom comes increased responsibility. He will create conditions that permit every American to get a quality education through high school. He will also make sure funds are available for any qualified student to attend college. If it means the student has to incur debt, then Trump’s high growth economy will provide a good job with sufficient pay so that debt does not become too heavy a burden.

Look around and watch everyday Americans today. You will see a new attitude taking shape in America, save for those still mourning the loss of the presidency by their favored candidate or those who have lost their objectivity due to misinformation gleaned from the blatantly biased mainstream media.

Recent polls, though, indicate that a majority of Americans now view Donald Trump favorably. It appears that his positive attitude is already affecting Americans.

Hang on. The Trump Revolution will be a wild and mostly joy-filled ride. Welcome aboard.

*Cartoon by Branco. Reproduced with permission and by arrangement with LegalInsurrection.

Michael Busler, Ph.D. is a public policy analyst and a Professor of Finance at Stockton University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Finance and Economics. He has written Op-ed columns in major newspapers for more than 35 years.